RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2003-03191
		INDEX NUMBER: 107.00

	XXXXXXX	COUNSEL: VETERANS SERVICE OFFICE

	XXXXXXX	HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded the Combat Action Ribbon and “stars added to medals, especially Air Medal (7).”

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THE APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He was a turret gunner during World War II and the Combat Action Ribbon (CAR) was omitted from his records.

In support of the appeal, applicant submits extracts from his personnel records.

Applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant served in the Army Air Corps, as an airplane armorer gunner from 3 November 1943 through 6 November 1945.  He contracted his initial enlistment with the Air Force on 22 August 1947, for a period of three years.  From 17 September 1944 through 2 March 1945, he served in the European-African-Middle Eastern theatre of operation. He was honorably discharged in the grade of staff sergeant on 21 August 1951, for expiration of term of service.

In a letter, dated 1 December 2003, AFPC/DPPPRA notified the applicant of his entitlement to the World War II Victory Medal; the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, with two bronze service stars; and the Air Medal (AM), with one silver oak leaf cluster.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPPR recommends the application be denied and states, in part, that without official documentation showing he was awarded two additional AMs, they are unable to verify his entitlement to the AM, with seven oak leaf clusters.  In addition, the CAR was not established until 17 February 1969, and was only awarded to members of the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.  Since the applicant was discharged on 6 November 1945, he is not eligible for the CAR.

The AFPC/DPPPR evaluation is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A complete copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant and his counsel on 6 February 2004 for review and response within 30 days.  However, as of this date, this office has received no response.

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THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.  The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing law or regulations.

2.  The application was not timely filed; however, it is in the interest of justice to excuse the failure to timely file.

3.  Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice.  We took notice of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility and adopt their rationale as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice.  Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no compelling basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this application.

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THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:

The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; that the application was denied without a personal appearance; and that the application will only be reconsidered upon the submission of newly discovered relevant evidence not considered with this application.

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The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC-2003-03191 in Executive Session on 1 April 2004, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 30 Apr 03, w/atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 28 Jan 04.
    Exhibit D.  Letters, SAF/MRBR, dated 6 Feb 04.